Sickle cell disorder remains most neglected health challenge globally

The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, says sickle cell disorder remains a largely neglected health challenge worldwide.

Mrs. Soludo, Founder of the Healthy Living Initiative, made the assertion in Awka on Wednesday to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day, marked every June 19.

She emphasized the need to raise awareness about the disease and deliberate on the challenges faced by persons living with sickle cell disorder.

“Today, as we join the global community to mark World Sickle Cell Day, it is essential to note that sickle cell disease remains a largely neglected health challenge in our society today.

“We need to think of what we have been able to do or what more we can do to help them through the whole journey.

“We have a responsibility to care for and support these special people, whether in our homes, workplaces, or larger communities,” she said.

Soludo’s wife advocated for an increased campaign on genotype education and the provision of basic platforms for persons living with sickle cell disorder to succeed in their own ambitions.

Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD), Mrs. Edward-Maduagwu, has said sickle cell is the worst of all health disorders.

She described sickle cell disease as a genetic disorder in which the red blood cells are shaped abnormally, thereby affecting blood flow and causing pain and tissue damage in the body.

“Sickle cell is the most serious and worst disorder out of all the health disorders, but it is sad that it is not getting adequate attention in our society.

“How come more attention is given to cancer patients than sickle cell patients, whereas we go through the same pains?” she asked.

“Our government and society at large need to pay adequate attention to sickle cell disease because the patients go through pain and spend so much to stay alive or survive the pain inflicted on them,” she said.

Maduagwu lamented the rate of stigma in society, as persons living with sickle cell disorder are seen as not marriageable, not adoptable, and not employable.

“The society is mean and insensitive to the plight of persons living with sickle cell. They are intellectually and academically sound, but there are no job opportunities for them.

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“Our organization will continue to educate the public on the adverse effects of genotype incompatibilities and ensure that people get tested for genotype, especially intending marriage couples,” she said.

She commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife for the free enrollment of 71 persons living with sickle cell into the state’s health insurance scheme, reducing the burden of medical bills on patients and their families.

She urged well-meaning individuals and the government to donate a permanent and central sickle cell center in Anambra.

“We are appealing for support to acquire a center for the moral, psychological, and emotional management as well as the rehabilitation of vulnerable sickle cell patients,” she said.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that World Sickle Cell Day is observed every June 19 to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and highlight the challenges that patients and their caregivers face. The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Hope Through Progress: Advancing Care Globally.’